NOT YOUR OWN by A. Stone

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 26, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 9

NOT YOUR OWN.

By A. Stone

BY ELD. A. STONE.

The sentiment is clearly taught in the Scriptures that man has no property in himself. He did not make himself or cause himself to be made. He is entirely the property of another. He has no right to use his faculties or possessions for selfish purposes any further than permitted by Him whose property he is. These facts are humiliating to the proud. Yet they are facts of a practical character, and underlie the entire structure of Christian work and duty.

It seems strange that a subject of such magnitude, and so intimately related to the highest interests of mankind, should be so little understood in a practical point of view, especially by professed Christians. The following are the explicit words of Inspiration: “Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

It is a mistake to suppose that it is the province of man to set up an interest of his own, separate from his Maker. The man who is set right on this point, has fought more than half the battles of life. This is what comes in most naturally as the first lesson to be learned in the school of Christ. This should be the warp and the woof of early Christian experience and practice. Until this point is gained, little is or can be gained, and Satan will turn almost everything concerning us, to his own account. The current of our nature runs in the channel of selfishness, and we like to have a field of our own to cultivate and put the proceeds in our own pockets.

When Satan uses human selfishness as a fulcrum over which to ply his lever of temptation, he has a tremendous purchase, and gains his object every time. Little do we think, in the mean time, that his advantages are preludes, if not pledges, of our ruin. Yet fallen man is often willing that his greatest enemy should control his most important affairs, while he says to his best Friend, Stand back, what have I to do with thee? Thus, poor, blind mortals are deceived into a co-partnership with Satan to work out their eternal ruin.

If evil is resisted, it cannot harm us. If permitted, it will ruin us. Before we venture too far, let us inquire, Where are we? Who created us? Who redeemed us? and what did redemption cost? Who has hated us with a hatred that knows no bound? Who has loved us with a love surpassing knowledge? Let us meditate on these things. Sin has jostled mankind out of position. If they refuse to be drawn into place by the gospel of the Son of God, they will perish.

Man must come into harmony with God's entire plan respecting him, or be cast out of his presence as a cumberer of the ground. The time is at hand when every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, will be hewn down and cast into the fire.